{"id":1700,"date":"2011-02-21T11:03:26","date_gmt":"2011-02-21T03:03:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/wa\/?p=1700"},"modified":"2011-02-21T11:03:26","modified_gmt":"2011-02-21T03:03:26","slug":"australian-open-2011-wrap-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/wa\/news\/2011\/02\/21\/australian-open-2011-wrap-up","title":{"rendered":"AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2011 WRAP UP"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Australian Open 2011 has concluded for the year with comeback queen Kim Clijsters<\/strong> (Belgium) and Joker Novak Djokovic (Serbia)<\/strong>\u00a0 taking out the crowns of the first Slam of the year!\u00a0 In what was an explosive display of tennis throughout the 2 weeks of play it all came down the final weekend between Clijsters and Na Li<\/strong> (China) and Djokovic and Andy Murray<\/strong> (Great Britain).<\/p>\n

The Women\u2019s final featured two hard hitters and characters of the game.\u00a0 Li won over the entire world, not only for her superb baseline play, but for her outstanding personality on and off of the court.\u00a0 Let\u2019s not put aside the constant battle she has with her opponents, but also with her coach\/husband who she complains snores too much!\u00a0 She is the new star in town, and has already inspired many young Chinese girls to start playing tennis.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clijsters career has had everything – the ups, the downs and retirement. However, after coming back after 2 years off the court (and having daughter, Jada!) Clijsters appears to have found a new love for the game and is sporting a fitter and stronger body as a result of it!<\/p>\n

After a lapse of concentration in the opening set to Clijsters, Li took advantage and rocketed out to take the first set 3-6. Clijsters re-grouped and settled into her swinging pattern taking the second with ease 6-3. Clijsters then took the first break in the 3rd<\/sup>, eventually galloping away from the deflated Li, closing the match out in 3 sets, (3-6), (6-3), (6-3).\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

No one could forget Murray\u2019s speech at last year\u2019s Australian Open after falling short in a 3 set battle with Roger Federer, \u201cI can cry like Roger, it\u2019s just a shame I can\u2019t play like him\u201d. This year he didn\u2019t have to worry about Federer, however history proved to repeat itself after Murray suffered the same feat, losing to friend and hitting partner Djokovic in straight sets.<\/p>\n

Great Britain\u2019s great hope, possessing a bag of tricks as big as anyone on the tour came into the final the underdog and is yet to lose the status. Andy was simply outclassed at the end of the day by the other 23 year old on the opposite side of the net.\u00a0 Novak came out firing from the first point and displayed his precision and agility throughout the match. His movement and discipline were awesome and he has earned his place as the number 3 player in the world and will be a real contender for the top spot over the next 12 months. Djokovic defeated Murray in straight sets (6-4), (6-2), (6-3). <\/strong><\/p>\n

Western Australians at the Australian Open 2011:<\/strong><\/p>\n